Increased pull-strength strap

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

BACKGROUND

Currently in the footwear market the basic or fashion flip flop sold at USA retailers, such as WM, Target, Old Navy, etc. has an upper strap attached via three plugs into the outsole. The upper strap and the three plugs are typically a PVC material.

The durability of such products is dependent in part, on the ability of the straps to withstand upward pull forces without becoming detached from the outsole.

Current designs too frequently lack sufficient durability. Improved designs are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

For example, in some embodiments, provided herein is a strap plug, comprising: a pull operably linked to a plug, wherein the plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of texture features. In some embodiments, the pull is operably linked to a footwear strap. In some embodiments, the plug is disk shaped. In some embodiments, the strap plug and said texture features are molded (e.g., from PVC).

The present disclosure is not limited to particular texture features. For example, in some embodiments, the texture features are selected from the group consisting of points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds (e.g., at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 pounds) of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of footwear without becoming disengaged from the outsole. In some embodiments, pull strength is measured in the horizontal and vertical direction. In some embodiments, the strap plug is able to resist a force of at least 30 pounds in the horizontal direction for 10 seconds and 35 pounds in the vertical direction for 10 seconds.

Further embodiments provide footwear (e.g., sandal), comprising: an outsole comprising a hole therethrough, a strap operably linked to a strap plug, wherein the strap plug comprises a pull operable linked to a plug, wherein the plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of texture features, and wherein the strap plug is held against the bottom surface of the outsole by the plug. In some embodiments, the footwear comprises three strap plugs. In some embodiments, the hole comprises a grommet adjacent the outsole. In some embodiments, the footwear comprises ridges or other features on the bottom surface of the outsole.

Additional embodiments are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a sandal with strap plugs pulled into the outsole.

FIG. 2 shows a Y thong sandal with upper strap plugs that have raised points on the top of the plug.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of an upper strap plug with raised points on the top of the plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein is a strap with increased pull strength and footwear comprising such a strap. In particular, provided herein are straps with texture features that increase pull strength.

The straps described herein feature a strap plug that exceed a 15 lb pull strength by providing texture features on the upper surface of the plug. Experiments demonstrated that the designs described herein achieved, for example, a 20 lb of force pull test result. Further experiments demonstrated that the strap was able to withstand a vertical directional pull of 35 lbs. at 10 seconds of testing of a toe strap, an inner side strap, and an outer side strap. In addition, the strap was able to withstand a horizontal directional pull in 4 directions, at 10 seconds per each pull of 30 lbs. on the toe strap, inner strap, outer side strap. In some embodiments, the straps described herein withstand pull force in various directions as specified.

The designs provide a higher safety rating and decreased risk of the strap inadvertently being pulled from the footwear during use.

FIGS. 1-3 describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1. Shows a bottom surface 2 of a sandal comprising three strap plugs 1 in the insole. Still referring to FIG. 1, all of the plugs are pulled into the outsole to secure an upper strap. Still referring to FIG. 1, the bottom surface 2 of the outsole is shown with horizonal ridges. However, the present disclosure is not limited to sandals with such horizontal ridges on the bottom surface. Other designs are specifically contemplated (e.g., including but not limited to, vertical or diagonal ridges, flat, bumps, or combinations thereof).

Still referring to FIG. 1, the present disclosure is illustrated with a three plug “flip-flop” type sandal. However, the present disclosure is not limited to sandals or other footwear with such a configuration. The plug design described herein finds use in any sandal that utilizes a plug design (e.g., including but not limited to, cross-strap slide sandals, flip-flops, and sandals with multiple crossing straps).

Now referring to FIG. 2, a bottom surface 2 with strap plugs 1 pushed through the outsole of the sandal is shown. Still referring to FIG. 2, as shown the strap plug 1 comprising pull 5 and plug 7. Plug 7 comprises bottom surface 4 and top surface 3. Still referring to FIG. 2, plug 7 is shown with texture features 6 on the top surface 3.

Now referring to FIG. 3, shown is a close up of plug 7 comprising texture features 6 on top surface 3. Still referring to FIG. 3, texture features 6 are shown as raised points. However, the present disclosure is not limited to raised points. Any suitable texture feature may be utilized. Texture feature may be raised as shown in FIG. 3 or recessed (not shown). Examples include, but are not limited to, points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, and combinations thereof.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the plug 7 is wider than the opening 8 of the outsole of the sandal, thus preventing the plug (and attached strap) from being pulled through opening 8. Still referring to FIG. 3, a disk-shaped plug 7 is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a column shape plug 7. Any suitable shape that secures the strap to the outsole of the sandal may be utilized. Still referring to FIG. 3, optional grommet 9 is shown to further secure the strap (not shown) to the bottom of the sandal.

Without being limited to a mechanism, it is contemplated that texture features on the top surface of plug allow the plug to grip more tightly onto the bottom surface of the outsole of the sandal, thus increasing the pull strength relative to existing plugs with smooth top surfaces.

In some embodiments, the strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds (e.g., at least 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or 25 pounds) of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of a sandal.

In some embodiments, outsole and strap plugs of footwear such as those described herein are a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, although other suitable material (e.g., polymers) may be used. In some embodiments, the plug (and sandal) are manufactured using a mold. In some embodiments, texture features and plug are formed in the same manufacturing mold.

Although the present disclosure is illustrated with a sandal, the strap plugs described herein find use with a variety of additional footwear styles. For example, in some embodiments, the strap plugs find use with any footwear with one or more straps (e.g., including but not limited to, sandals, slippers, thongs, flip-flops, water shoes, etc.).

One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the foregoing represents merely a detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications and alterations of the compositions and methods described above can readily be achieved using expertise available in the art and are within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A strap plug for footwear, comprising: a pull operable linked to a plug, wherein said plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of texture features.
 2. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said pull is operably linked to a footwear strap.
 3. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said texture features are selected from the group consisting of points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, and combinations thereof.
 4. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsole.
 5. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 20 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsole.
 6. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said strap plug is able to resist a force of at least 30 pounds in the horizontal direction for 10 seconds and 35 pounds in the vertical direction for 10 seconds. 7 The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said plug is disk shaped.
 8. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein strap plug and said texture features are molded.
 9. The strap plug of claim 1, wherein said strap plug and said texture features comprise polyvinyl chloride.
 10. Footwear, comprising: an outsole comprising a hole therethrough, a strap operably linked to a strap plug, wherein said strap plug comprises a pull operable linked to a plug, wherein said plug comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of texture features, and wherein said strap plug is held against the bottom surface of said outsole by said plug.
 11. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said texture features are selected from the group consisting of points, ridges, spikes, teeth, columns, rings, divots, channels, and combinations thereof.
 12. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 15 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of a sandal.
 13. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said strap plug is able to withstand at least 20 pounds of force when pulled against the bottom surface of an outsold of a sandal.
 14. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said plug is disk shaped.
 15. The footwear of claim 10, wherein strap plug and said texture features are molded.
 16. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said strap plug and said texture features comprise polyvinyl chloride.
 17. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said footwear comprises three strap plugs.
 18. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said hole comprises a grommet adjacent said outsole.
 19. The footwear of claim 10, wherein said footwear comprises ridges on the bottom surface of said outsole. 